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Behaviour of brown bears under fluctuating resource availability
  • +7
  • Clara Tattoni,
  • Andrea Corradini,
  • Francesco Chianucci,
  • Marco Ciolli,
  • Roberta Giusti,
  • Natalia Bragalanti,
  • Francesca Cagnacci,
  • Adriano Martinoli,
  • Damiano G. Preatoni,
  • Francesco Bisi
Clara Tattoni
University of Insubria

Corresponding Author:clara.tattoni@uninsubria.it

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Andrea Corradini
Fondazione Edmund Mach Istituto Agrario di San Michele all'Adige
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Francesco Chianucci
CREA Research Center for Forestry and Wood
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Marco Ciolli
Università degli Studi di Trento Facolta di ingegneria
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Roberta Giusti
Università degli Studi di Trento Facolta di ingegneria
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Natalia Bragalanti
Wildlife office Province of Trento
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Francesca Cagnacci
Fondazione Edmund Mach Centro Ricerca e Innovazione
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Adriano Martinoli
Universita degli Studi dell\'Insubria
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Damiano G. Preatoni
Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
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Francesco Bisi
Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
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Abstract

Mast seeding, the variable and intermittent production of seeds, has cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. This study explores its influence on the brown bear populations in the Italian Alps, focusing on beechnuts (Fagus sylvatica L.), the primary food source for bears in the region. Using historical data and field sampling we estimated and mapped the annual seed biomass from 2007 to 2021 for the province of Trento. The energy content of beechnuts was assessed through high heating values (HHV), providing the caloric resources available. Data on beechnuts production, records of damages and GPS data from 16 Eurasian brown bears, were integrated to perform a temporal and spatial analysis at home range and at landscape level. Standardised damages to beehive and livestock decreased during mast years, suggesting that bears met their trophic needs through natural food sources. In fact, bears used more agricultural areas and less beech forest during years of crop failure then in mast years. At landscape level, agriculture and pasture areas, close to beech forests and distant from cities showed higher risk of damage providing a tool to anticipate management actions.. This work provides insights on the ecological dynamics and conservation implications of brown bear in the study area by mapping the spatial and temporal aspects of mast seeding and bear related damages.